Witness how violence, media, and strategy reshaped America’s most fateful election.

Explore the turbulent events leading to the 1860 U.S. election, from violent clashes in Kansas and the Capitol to the partisan press battles that framed Abraham Lincoln’s rise. This series reveals how slavery, political calculation, and a fractured electorate pushed a young nation toward Civil War, offering rich context that makes every episode more compelling.

Episode guide

3 episodes

1Blood Before the War

This is the incredible story of Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, who was mercilessly beaten on the floor of the US Senate by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina. Sumner went on to survive the attack and became a leading voice calling for the abolition of slavery in the United States.

11 min

2The Newspaper Wars

As the telegraph made its way across America, it brought with it breaking news and rumors - all traveling at unprecedented speeds. This is the story of notorious editors like Charles Pryor of the Dallas Herald and James Gordon Bennett of the New York Herald who helped drive the nation toward war.

9 min

3Lincoln Wins!

In a highly disputed 4-way race, this is how Abraham Lincoln, a little-known political upstart from Illinois, strategized to win the presidency in a heavily contested election.

11 min

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